Josh Vernier

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Royals Record Run of Pitching Ends in Tampa

by Josh Vernier,posted Jun 15 2013 6:11PM

-The Royals (32-34) lost in game three of a four-game set in Tampa, 5-3.

-Jeremy Guthrie made the start, and finished with a line of 7 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 8 H, 3 BB on 114 pitches. The righty's outing ended a franchise-record run of 13 straight starts from Royals pitchers allowing three or less runs.

-Guthrie put himself in a hole early, giving up a first inning run. The inning's second batter, Ben Zobrist, hit a single to right field, and advanced to second on a failed pick-off attempt. Eric Hosmer was charged with the error as he tried to tag Zobrist before fully collected the toss. Zobrist would move to third on a single from Luke Scott, and score on an Evan Longoria sacrifice fly.

-The Royals took the lead in the 2nd inning. Mike Moustakas (1-for-4) and Elliot Johnson (1-for-4) each hit one-out singles to right field. Alcides Escobar (1-for-3) and Alex Gordon (1-for-4) each followed with a walk, and Moustakas scored on Gordon's free pass. Eric Hosmer (0-for-3) knocked in Johnson with a sacrifice fly to center field.

-The lead was short-lived, as Tampa scored two in the 3rd. Zobrist reached on a two-out single to center, and scored on a Luke Scott home run. It wasn't a terrible pitch from Guthrie, but more of a nice job of Scott to get underneath the low fastball. Rays led 3-2 after three innings.

-A scary moment in the top of the 5th inning. Hosmer led off with a rocket shot that struck Rays starter Alex Cobb on the right ear. Cobb dropped to the ground and was taken to the hospital. He remained conscience the entire time, and his father and girlfriend were at the game. They, along with Rays pitcher David Price, accompanied Cobb at the hospital. The ball was traveling at 102.4 MPH when it hit Cobb.

-The Rays added to its lead in the 5th on a solo shot from Matt Joyce. Another solo home run from Evan Longoria in the 6th would be all Tampa needed. Both of those home runs were right over the middle of the plate, and gave Guthrie an A.L.-most 19 home runs allowed.

-The Royals tacked on a third run in the 8th inning on a no-doubt home run from Salvador Perez (2-for-5), his 3rd of the season. Perez is in the midst of an 11-game hitting streak.